"In the last 25 years, because of the advent of technology, storywriters and all, a lot of people want to be in media and films. The age of conventional jobs is over.

"But I think we have not reached that stage in our country where children can come up and say, 'I want to make sports my job and be a professional sportsperson'," he explained.

"Parents will always be wary of sports as a profession and I don't see why they should not be... Parents will have to see that there is a job opportunity here, Parents should know that it can be a salary job. Your kids will be proud of you."

The 47-year-old actor starred in Chak De! India, which focused on a women's hockey team. He explained that women are still poorly represented in sport.

"I haven't seen a change. Films reflect society and show the condition of women's sports. It is sad that the situation is like this.

"I really think it is more important for women to come up. We keep talking about rights and protection, but I feel one of the biggest things for women is to divert their energies and attention to promote women's sport," he said.